Monday, November 15, 2010

Baby, Why Won't You Sleep?

I want to start off by saying that I am blessed to have such an amazing baby. That being said, he has decided that sleep isn't his favorite activity. I'm so tired from all the fighting I have to do to get him to sleep. Some nights he cries for 2 or more hours.

I have been trying what I call "Modified Crying It Out." I don't just throw him in his crib and let him scream, instead I lay down with him and hold him until he wears himself out.

I really hate letting him cry like that, but nothing settles him down. Even though he is exhausted, he fights sleep so hard. We finally figured out that sometimes the rocking chair helps, but not always.

The problem is that when your baby is crying uncontrollably and you can't fix it, you feel like a lousy mom. I know that I am a good mom, but this would make anyone question their abilities.

On top of all my other stress, this one just makes everything else so much worse. He only cried for a few minutes tonight, so maybe the spell has been broken. We can always hope.

<3 Swt

3 comments:

  1. We've all been there. It's awful and you feel lousy, I agree. But it will get better. If you can hold on to that thought, it helps keep it in perspective. Fingers crossed that you've done the hard yards and a few minutes is all he will cry for tonight and every night from hereon in.

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  2. Argh, Sarah, I remember this time very well. My first baby was a diabolical sleeper and it just made everything so exhausting and awful. I feel for you.

    There are many things you can try and one that worked for me was Tracy Hogg's method 'Pick up, Put Down'. It's for us mums that aren't very good at the 'controlled crying' thing. It was a lifesaver for me. Good luck and know this: This too, shall pass. x

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  3. Sleep was a huge focus with my first baby. I was always wondering why she wouldn't fall asleep or when she would "sleep through the night. I got my first full night of sleep when she was 1.5 and now I know that is normal and that I should have been easier on myself.

    Now with a second baby I know that I can only try my best. Every night after dinner I bathe her, put her in her pj's and lay down to nurse her to sleep. If she refuses I simply wrap her up tight in the ergo and go about my business. She'll fall asleep within 30 minutes or so and I save myself A LOT of heart ache and energy. I get reading done, brush my teeth and occasionally enjoy a drink.

    I think the focus on good sleeping habits is a little over board. Some kids need a little extra care. and for every night she wont sleep there is a night where I simple lay her down and she is out. So count your blessings and work out some self care. Your little guy will sleep eventually. Might as well enjoy the time he's refusing to go down.

    http://thestir.cafemom.com/baby/112381/everything_you_know_about_sleeping?utm_medium=sm&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=fanpage

    Hope some of that helps. My mom used to go on and on about a routine with my first baby and I would just roll my eyes, but she was right. It doesn't matter what time it is. As soon as Lu shows signs of being tired I plop her in the bath and get our bedtime routine under way. Even when we travel I give her a mini sink bath.

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